Operating device for a motor vehicle and motor vehicle

Abstract

Control device (10) for a motor vehicle (28) comprising: - an object that can be used by a user (12) with a finger (14) for an operating action, - a detection device (18) for detecting a movement of a body part of the user (12), - a control device (20) designed to receive sensor signals from the detection device (18) and to send out a detection signal (D) when a movement is detected on the basis of the sensor signals, characterized by an actuator (22) designed to provide a haptically perceptible signal (H) depending on the detection signal (D), which is generated by means of an ultrasound signal, characterized by the fact that the haptically perceptible signal (H) is designed as a short-term pulse oscillation, wherein a time span_Td (40) describing the damping of the oscillation profile is ≤ 150ms milliseconds and the time span_Td (40) is defined by a start time_Tan (30) and an end time_Tab (32), with the starting point_Tan (30), which is defined by a time of the first occurrence of a vibration displacement_S1 (34), which corresponds to a predefinable percentage of the value of a maximum amplitude_Smax (38) occurring in the vibration process, and with the endpoint_Tab (32), which is defined by a time point at which the vibration amplitude_S2 (36) has first decayed to a further predefinable percentage value of the maximum amplitude_Smax (38) occurring in the vibration process.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an operating device for a motor vehicle according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

[0002] The publication by Carter et al. describes a control unit for a motor vehicle in which haptic feedback is generated in the air while a user controls the control unit using gestures. An ultrasonic transducer array is configured to transmit an ultrasonic signal to the user's hand, which the user uses to perform gestures and thus receive tactile or haptic feedback when executing a function.

[0003] The published patent application US 2011 / 0199342 A1 discloses a device that detects a movement of a body part of a user and, in response to the detected movement, emits an ultrasonic signal that can be perceived haptically by the user.

[0004] In state-of-the-art control devices with haptic feedback, media or surfaces are stimulated to haptic vibration. In the case of air (Ultrahaptics) or liquids (Tactus), these vibrations are usually vibrotactile. It has proven disadvantageous that the persistent vibrations cause strong but qualitatively unpleasant feedback.

[0005] The object of the invention is therefore to provide an operating device for detecting user inputs, with which a better and more comfortable user input is possible, in particular with regard to the provision of haptic feedback.

[0006] This object is achieved according to the invention by an operating device having the features of patent claim 1. This object is also achieved by a motor vehicle having the features of patent claim 8. Advantageous embodiments with expedient and non-trivial further developments of the invention are specified in the remaining patent claims.

[0007] Accordingly, the invention provides an operating device for a motor vehicle. The operating device comprises an object that can be used by a user with a body part of the user, for example a finger, for an operating action. A detection device detects a movement of the body part of the user. The detection device can preferably comprise a camera. The movement of a body part of the user can, for example, be an approach to the object or a gesture. Furthermore, the operating device comprises a control device that is designed to receive sensor signals from the detection device and to emit a detection signal upon a movement detected based on the sensor signals.

[0008] In order to improve the use of the operating device and make it more convenient, the invention provides that the operating device comprises an actuator. The actuator is designed to provide a haptically perceptible signal, which is generated by means of an ultrasonic signal, as a function of the detection signal. The haptically perceptible signal is perceived, for example, on the user's body part. The haptically perceptible signal can preferably be in a frequency range between 0.4 Hertz and 500 Hertz and is generated by modulating the ultrasonic signal. This results in the advantage of particularly good haptic feedback. Furthermore, haptic feedback can be perceived by a user more quickly than an acoustic or visual signal or feedback, for example when the user looks at the object to be operated.Haptic signals are also less susceptible to interference than acoustic or visual signals.

[0009] The haptically perceptible signal is advantageously designed as a short-term pulse. This short-term pulse generates so-called pressure fluctuations. The pressure fluctuations can generate a pressure gradient on the skin of the user's body part. In other words, the haptic feedback can be generated by a short, pulse-like stimulus. The stimulus is notably non-periodic, which distinguishes it from the haptic feedback systems known from the state of the art. The stimulus is generated by a short-term pulse. This allows for very precise switching behavior.

[0010] The ultrasonic signal can, for example, be used to generate edge signaling and / or event signaling. Edge signaling here means that the haptic feedback allows the user to sense an edge, for example, in the air in an area in front of the touchscreen, without actually touching the object. For example, if a user wants to select an operating menu on the touchscreen that is located on the right edge of the touchscreen, the edge signaling, which is intended to signal an edge of the touchscreen, allows the user to orient themselves along the edge without having to look at the touchscreen. This has the advantage that edge signaling can provide a particularly effective orientation aid.

[0011] According to the invention, the haptic perceptible signal (H) is designed as a vibration modeled as a short-term pulse, wherein a time period Td describing the damping of the vibration curve is ≤ 150 ms milliseconds, preferably ≤ 120 ms, more preferably ≤ 90 ms. The time period Td is defined by a starting point Tan and an end point Tab. The starting point Tan is defined by a time of the first occurrence of a vibration deflection S1, which corresponds to a predeterminable percentage of the value of a maximum amplitude Smax occurring in the vibration curve. The end point Tab is defined by a time at which a vibration amplitude S2 has first decayed to a further predeterminable percentage of the maximum amplitude Smax occurring in the vibration curve. The representation of the haptic perceptible signal (H) in this form enables the generation of feedback that is succinctly perceptible to a user and is simultaneously perceived as pleasant.

[0012] In a further preferred embodiment, the predeterminable percentage value lies in a range from 0% to 30%, preferably in a range from 0% to 20%, preferably in a range from 5% to 15%. The percentage value for determining the vibration deflection_S1 can be different from the further percentage value for determining the decaying vibration amplitude_S2. The vibration deflection_S1 defines the time_Tan at which the deflection first reaches or passes through the predeterminable percentage value of the maximum amplitude_Smax. The vibration amplitude_S2 defines the time_Tab at which the vibration, after reaching the maximum amplitude_Smax, has decayed again to a value that corresponds to the further predeterminable percentage value of the maximum amplitude_Smax. Amplitude here always means a deflection at a high or low point, iea reversal point of an oscillation, whereas a deflection simply describes any deflection relative to a zero position. The inventive specification of percentage values ​​advantageously enables the presentation of clearly perceptible feedback that is perceived as high-quality.

[0013] Since the actuator can provide a haptically perceptible signal generated by an ultrasonic signal, a further development of the invention provides that the haptically perceptible signal is perceptible on the user's body part at a predetermined distance from the object. Thus, for example, a user perceives a haptic signal on their finger without touching the object to be operated. The object can preferably be provided as a disc in a touchscreen or a touchpad. If, for example, a user approaches the disc of a touchscreen with their finger, this approach can be detected by the detection device.If the user now places his finger at a predetermined distance, for example at a distance of 3 centimeters, from the touchscreen, he can receive or feel haptic or tactile feedback on his finger, caused by the ultrasonic signal of the actuator.

[0014] A further advantage of the operating device according to the invention is that, when the pane is mounted, the actuator is arranged behind the pane, with the pane having an opening or gap through which the haptically perceptible signal passes. The opening is designed, for example, as a through-channel for the haptic signal. The haptic signal can preferably be reflected or redirected by a wall of the through-channel before the haptic signal is directed toward a part of the user's body. This results in a particularly simple design.

[0015] According to an advantageous development of the invention, the operating device comprises a further actuator, wherein the further actuator is designed to provide an acoustic signal depending on the detection signal. The further actuator can preferably be designed as a loudspeaker. Thus, a user can receive feedback both through a haptic signal and through an acoustic signal directly at the point of contact in the room, which supports a realistic behavior of an operating action.

[0016] The invention further includes a motor vehicle with an operating device. The operating device is, in particular, an embodiment of the operating device according to the invention. The motor vehicle can preferably be designed as a motor vehicle, in particular as a passenger car.

[0017] Further advantages, features, and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment and from the drawings. The features and combinations of features mentioned above in the description, as well as the features and combinations of features mentioned below in the description of the figures and / or shown alone in the figures, can be used not only in the respective combinations specified, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0018] Showing: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of the operating device according to the invention for a motor vehicle; Fig. 2 a schematic representation of a user's movement with haptic feedback; Fig. 3 a schematic representation of a disc and an actuator of the operating device according to the invention; and Fig. 4 a representation of a haptic signal formed as a vibration.

[0019] In Fig. 1 schematically shows an operating device 10 for a motor vehicle 28. The functioning of the operating device 10 will now be explained in conjunction with the Fig. 2, Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 will be explained.

[0020] The operating device 10 comprises an object that can be used by a user 12 with a body part, for example, a finger 14, for an operating action. This object can be provided as a disk 16 in a touchscreen or a touchpad. The object can also be designed as a liquid-based system, in particular as a touchscreen. Fig. 1 the touchscreen represents an embodiment of the object.

[0021] As already mentioned, the touchscreen has a screen 16 with a sensor matrix. The sensor matrix can have a plurality of individual sensors in a known manner. Furthermore, the operating device 10 comprises a detection device 18, which can be embodied, for example, as a camera. The detection device 18 is designed to detect a movement of a body part, for example, a finger 14, of the user 12. The movement can be, for example, an approach of the finger 14 of the user 12 to the screen 16 or a gesture of the hand of the user 12.

[0022] The detection device 18 is coupled to a control device 20, which may be, for example, a microcontroller or a control unit. The control device 20 is designed to receive sensor signals from the detection device 18 and to emit a detection signal D upon movement detected by the sensor signals. The detection signal D is transmitted to the control device 20. The control device 20 detects, based on the sensor signals from the detection device 18, i.e., the detection signal D, when a user 12 approaches the pane 16 with their finger 14.

[0023] Furthermore, the operating device 10 comprises an actuator 22, which is designed to provide a haptically perceptible signal H, which is generated by means of an ultrasonic signal, as a function of the detection signal D. For example, if a user 12 approaches, as shown in Fig. 2, the pane 16 of the touchscreen, the user 12 receives haptic feedback on their finger 14 through the haptically perceptible signal H. When the touchscreen is actuated, it is ensured that the user 12 also perceives the haptic impression, which is generally perceived as high-quality and which they perceive when actuating it due to the click effect, on the touchscreen. When the user 12 approaches the pane 16, they feel haptic feedback at the tip of their finger 14, just as they do when touching the touchscreen. When the user 12 approaches the pane 16 with their finger 14, a short-term pulse acts on the finger 14.

[0024] In Fig. 3, the disc 16 of the touchscreen is made of Fig. 1 is shown in an enlarged view. Two actuators 22, which provide a haptically perceptible signal H, are arranged behind the pane 16. Furthermore, the pane 16 has an opening or gap 24 through which the haptic signal H passes.

[0025] If, for example, a user 12 approaches the pane 16 of the touchscreen with his finger 14 in order to activate a control panel displayed on the touchscreen, the approach of the finger 14 is detected by the detection device 18. The detection device 18 then sends a detection signal D to the control device 20. Depending on the detection signal D, the control device 20 controls the actuator 22. If the user 12 is, for example, at a distance of between 1 cm and 3 cm from the pane 16 of the touchscreen, the actuator 22 provides a haptically perceptible signal H, which is perceived on the finger 14 of the user 12. By feeling the haptic signal H, the user 12 knows that he is activating the control panel. The haptically perceptible signal H can preferably be in a frequency range between 0.4 Hertz and 500 Hertz and is generated by a modulation of the ultrasonic signal.For example, the smaller the distance between the finger 14 and the disc 16 becomes as it approaches, the stronger the haptic signal H can become. At a distance of 3 cm, the haptic signal H is weaker than at a distance of 1 cm.

[0026] In addition to providing a haptically perceptible signal, an acoustic signal A can be provided by a further actuator 26 depending on the detection signal D. In other words, the further actuator 26 is designed to provide an acoustic signal A depending on the detection signal D. The further actuator 26 can be designed, for example, as a loudspeaker.

[0027] For example, the haptically perceptible signal H can be supported by the acoustic signal A. If the user 12, as already described above, actuates the control element displayed on the touchscreen by approaching the pane 16, their actuation can be confirmed by an acoustic signal A. Thus, when the user 12 actuates the control element, they receive haptic feedback through the haptic signal H and, at the same time, an acoustic signal A. The acoustic signal H can, for example, be a click.

[0028] Overall, this results in optimized haptic feedback in dynamic systems. In this approach, surfaces, media, or surfaces stimulate haptic vibrations. In the case of air or liquid, these are usually vibrotactile, meaning they are characterized by sustained vibrations and cause strong, yet qualitatively unpleasant feedback. The resulting pressure fluctuations are simulated as a short-term pulse, for example, from a microswitch. This creates a pressure profile on the skin, which conveys very precise switching behavior. By switching to a different signaling method (edge, event signaling) in the vehicle, other effects, so-called edge effects, can be used, which provide a qualitatively higher level of pleasure. Edge or event signaling occurs when an object is reached.This is a purely dynamic (damped oscillation (PT2, d / DT, d / DT2)) signal and can be realistically simulated with a dynamic system. The contact signal corresponds to a static signal (P), which is permanently applied to the skin surface. This poses problems with dynamically excited systems, as these can only generate oscillations and not constant forces, and thus can generate surface contact by pulsing, i.e., switching the signal on and off. This, in turn, is unnatural and, in terms of perceptual interpretation, rather unpleasant, as it is interpreted or perceived as a warning signal.

[0029] Due to its high perceptual prioritization, edge signaling can overlay the surface effect and realistically recreate the impression of a first approximation. By generating a vibration signal, for example, using ultrasonic array technology, both haptic signals and acoustic behavior can be generated contactlessly directly at the point of contact in the room, which greatly supports realistic behavior.

[0030] In Fig.4 shows a vibration curve of a haptic signal H according to the invention. The vibration curve represents a short pulse, i.e. the vibration amplitude increases rapidly and then quickly decays again due to high damping. The vibration deflection_S1 32 describes the deflection which first reaches a predeterminable percentage of the maximum amplitude_Smax. In the present exemplary embodiment, the predeterminable percentage is 10% of the maximum amplitude_Smax 38. The time at which the vibration deflection_S1 30 is reached determines a start time_Tan 30. After passing through the vibration deflection_S1 34, the vibration reaches the maximum amplitude of 100% at the maximum amplitude_Smax 38. As the vibration progresses, the vibration decays due to damping, and the vibration amplitude_S2 36 again has a further predeterminable percentage, here also 10%, of the maximum amplitude_Smax 38.With the occurrence of the oscillation amplitude_S2 36, an end time_Tab 32 is determined. A time period_Td 40 describing the damping of the oscillation curve is in turn determined by the start time_Tan 30 and the end time_Tab 32. To generate high-quality haptic feedback, the haptic perceptible signal H is designed according to the described short-term pulse, with the time period_Td being ≤ 90 ms. List of reference symbols 10 Control device 12 users 14 fingers 16 slices 18 Recording device 20 Control device 22 Actuator 24 gap 26 additional actors 28 Motor vehicle 30 Start time_Tan 32 End time_Tab 34 Vibration deflection_S1 36 Vibration amplitude_S2 38 maximum vibration amplitude_Smax 40 Time span_Td A acoustic signal D detection signal H haptic signal

Claims

[1] Operating device (10) for a motor vehicle (28) comprising: - an object that can be used by a user (12) with a finger (14) for an operating action, - a detection device (18) for detecting a movement of a body part of the user (12), - a control device (20) which is designed to receive sensor signals from the detection device (18) and to transmit a detection signal (D) in the event of a movement detected on the basis of the sensor signals, characterized by an actuator (22) which is designed to provide a haptically perceptible signal (H) in dependence on the detection signal (D), which is generated by means of an ultrasonic signal, characterized by , that the haptic perceptible signal (H) is designed as a short-term pulse modeled oscillation, wherein a time period Td (40) describing the damping of the oscillation curve is ≤ 150 ms milliseconds and the time period Td (40) is defined by a start time point Tan (30) and an end time point Tab (32), with the starting point_Tan (30), which is defined by a time of the first occurrence of an oscillation deflection_S1 (34), which corresponds to a predeterminable percentage value of the value of a maximum amplitude_Smax (38) occurring in the oscillation curve, and with the end point_Tab (32), which is defined by a point in time at which the oscillation amplitude_S2 (36) has first decayed to a further predeterminable percentage value of the maximum amplitude_Smax (38) occurring in the oscillation curve. [2] Operating device (10) according to claim 1, characterized bythat the predeterminable percentage value and the further predeterminable percentage value are in a range from 0% to 30%, preferably in a range from 0% to 20%, preferably in a range from 5% to 15%. [3] Operating device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the object is provided as a disc (16) in a touchscreen or a touchpad. [4] Operating device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the haptically perceptible signal (H) is perceptible on the body part of the user (12) at a predetermined distance from the object. [5] Operating device (10) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized by that the actuator (22) is arranged behind the pane (16) in the mounted state of the pane (16), wherein the pane (16) has an opening or a gap (24) through which the haptically perceptible signal (H) passes. [6] Operating device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the operating device (10) has a further actuator (26), wherein the further actuator (26) is designed to provide an acoustic signal (A) depending on the detection signal (D). [7] Operating device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the detection device (18) has a camera. [8] Motor vehicle (28) with an operating device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 7.

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